Method and apparatus for erosion control and environmental protection

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus incorporating erosion preventing mats or blankets having oyster spat are placed to prevent or reduce erosion. The method and apparatus incorporates seeding with oyster spat and/or oyster larvae onto a blanket having rough surfaces and comprising calcium. After seeding and setting natural growth of the oyster larvae can create a barrier that helps prevent erosion by breaking the kinetic energy of waves.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional patent application Ser.No. 62/295,460, filed Feb. 15, 2016, which application in incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND

Improvements are needed regarding protection against the erosion ofshorelines. In many areas, soil conditions are such that shorelines orbanks are susceptible to damage due to wave action and/or water washinduced by marine traffic, storms, flash floods and the like.

As an example of the erosion which can occur along a waterway and theproblems associated therewith, consider the Mississippi River GulfOutlet (the “MRGO”) which runs through coastal marsh of southeastLouisiana. Originally, the MRGO was conceived as a shortcut to the Portof New Orleans from the Gulf of Mexico avoiding the serpentineMississippi River. There, the MRGO was created by dredging a channelthrough the mud, muck, marsh and wetlands of southeastern Louisiana.When originally completed, in the early 1960's, the MRGO wasapproximately 36-38 feet deep, and between 500 to 600 feet wide. Sincethen, the sidewalls and banks of the MRGO have been subjected to erosiondue to wave action from marine vessels, as well as from waves inducedvia wind action, including tropical storms and hurricanes whichperiodically slam into the coast of Louisiana. As a result of sucherosion of its sidewalls and banks, the average width of the MRGO by2005 had expanded to about 2,000 feet, i.e., about three to four timesits original width.

As the width of the MRGO grew, the adjacent coastline of Louisiana lostthe benefit of the soil and vegetation which used to be present thereand which served as a buffer to dampen the storm surge and winds whichaccompany tropical storms and hurricanes. The greatly expanded width ofthe MRGO, caused by the erosion of its sidewalls and banks, contributedto the devastation of the City of New Orleans and the surrounding areawhich was wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The hurricane's windcreated a catastrophic storm surge of water that raced unimpeded up thehugely-expanded MRGO and into the city, resulting in over one thousanddeaths and billions of dollars in property damage.

A similar problem exists where the shoreline of an open body of water,such as a lake, is subject to wave wash due to marine vessels and/orwind-induced wave action. The erosion of such shoreline is particularlydetrimental when it occurs on barrier islands which otherwise serve toprotect the adjacent mainland from storms. Such erosion also damages thedelicate ecosystem and habitat of plants, animals and marine life livingin the area.

A similar problem exists along the banks of fresh-water streams whichare subject to erosion due to water wash associated with flash floods,as for example after a torrential rain.

To prevent such problems, various embodiments can provide cost-effectivemethods and apparatuses for protecting shorelines, sidewalls and banksagainst erosion due to wave action and/or water wash.

In various embodiments of the method and apparatus erosion preventingmats or blankets having oyster spat are placed to prevent or reduceerosion.

In prior art systems oyster spat and/or oyster larvae can spawnnaturally so that as the reefs grow they can be harvestedrecreationally. As the oysters mature and spawn, larvae will adhere toblankets where the larvae can grow together tending to form a solidpiece.

In naturally occurring prior art systems much of the oyster larvaereleased into the wild tends to float along water currents and not growtogether to form a structure that resists erosion. Instead, these oysterlarvae typically end up in commercially harvested oyster bedsreplenishing the natural supply of oysters harvested by oyster men.

Some erosion control systems have been patented. An example is U.S. Pat.No. 4,370,075 entitled Revetment Grids and Mats which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The method and apparatus solves the problems confronted in the art in asimple and straightforward manner.

Various embodiments can be used along a shoreline where an open body ofwater such as a gulf, lake or bay washes against the shore.

Various embodiments can also be used along channeled waterways, such asrivers, canals, streams and bayous (hereinafter referred to collectivelyas “waterways”), where the water washes against the sidewalls and banksthrough which it passes.

In one embodiment is provided is a method and apparatus having aplurality of specially configured articulating mats or blankets beingsubstantially coated on their top surfaces with previously set oysterspat.

In various embodiments of the method and apparatus erosion preventingmats or blankets having oyster spat are placed in areas to prevent orreduce erosion.

In various embodiments the method and apparatus incorporates seedingwith oyster spat and/or oyster larvae onto a blanket having roughsurfaces and comprising calcium. After seeding and setting naturalgrowth of the oyster spat can create a barrier that helps preventerosion by breaking the kinetic energy of waves.

In various embodiments as the oysters mature and spawn, larvae willadhere to structural blankets where the larvae can grow together tendingto form a structure that can resist erosion due to wave action.

In various embodiments of the method and apparatus, outside of a naturalwaterway, oyster spat and/or larvae can be seeded in a confined settingvolume allowing for protected setting onto a base structure, and thenthe base structure with the now set oyster spat can be placed at aselected location for the prevention of soil erosion.

In various embodiments the base structure with previously set oysterspat, after being placed at the selected location, is allowed to havethe oyster spat grow and reproduce naturally increasing the structuralstrength of the entire structure.

In various embodiments the base structure forming a blanket or mat cancomprise a plurality of interconnected blocks which can articulaterelative to each other, and wherein the blocks can comprise concrete. Invarious embodiments the base structure can comprise an articulatingblanket or mat of a plurality of interconnected blocks held together bya cabling system.

In various embodiments the plurality of blocks can include front andrear sides with the front side having a recessed face and the rear sidebeing substantially flat or planar. In various embodiments the recessedface provides a protected volume and area for oyster spat to set.

In other embodiments the recessed face provides protection to the oysterspat setting in the recessed area, such as where multiple mats orblankets are stacked on top of each other,

In various embodiments oyster shell can be incorporated into the basestructure. In various embodiments ground up oyster shell can beincorporated into aggregate of concrete blocks forming the basestructure. In various embodiments fossilized oyster shells can beincorporated into the base structure. In various embodiments the amountof broken, ground or crushed oyster shell can be at least 25 percent byweight of the total weight of the concrete before water is added. Invarious embodiments the amount of broken, ground or crushed oyster shellcan be at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 percent by weightof the total weight of the concrete before water is added. In variousembodiments the amount of broken, ground or crushed oyster shell canfall within a range of between any two of the above referenced percentby weight figures before water is added.

In various embodiments the oyster shells as aggregate in concrete can bescreened to have an average size of 89, which refers to eights and ninesfor screening. In various embodiments the oyster shell used can be amixture of ground or crushed oyster shell: (a) falling through a ¼ inchscreen but stopped by a ⅛ inch screen and (b) falling through the ⅛ inchscreen. In various embodiments the added broken, ground or crushedoyster shell mixture is equal in percent by weight of parts (a) and (b)broken, ground or crushed oyster shell. In various embodiments part (a)can fall within a range of between any two of the following percent byweight the added broken, ground or crushed oyster shell: 25, 30, 35, 40,45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75 percent by weight.

In various embodiments part (b) can fall within a range of between anytwo of the following percent by weight the added broken, ground orcrushed oyster shell: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75percent by weight. In various embodiments parts (a) and (b) percent byweight add up to be 100 percent added broken, ground or crushed oystershell.

In various embodiments the base structure comprising a plurality ofarticulating blocks can be sized to a predesignated height and width. Inone embodiment the base structure comprising a plurality of articulatingblocks can be 28 feet by 8 feet, and have a depth or thickness of 4inches. It should be noted that the depth or thickness is determinedbased on the environmental factors seen by the base structure ofplurality of articulating blocks. For example, it should be noted thatwhere the base structure is expected to see relatively high water energyand wave action, the thickness or depth of the base structure can beincreased to accommodate said increased water energy and wave action. Invarious embodiments the depth of the blocks can be between 4 and 9inches.

In various embodiments, after manufacturing a plurality of mats orblankets, the mats or blankets can be transported to a predesignatedloading area, and then loaded into one or more mobile remote settingfacilities. In one embodiment the predesignated loading area can be adock. In various embodiments the mats or blankets can be transported bytruck, rail, or barge. In various embodiments a crane can be used toload the plurality of mats or blankets into the selected one or moremobile remote setting facilities.

In various embodiments the method of the present invention can includethe following steps:

(a) providing a crushed oyster shell aggregate. In various embodimentsthe oyster shell aggregate can be comprised of fossilized oyster shell;and

(b) incorporating the oyster shell as aggregate in an articulating basestructure formed from a plurality of interconnected blocks.

In various embodiments the method of the present invention can includethe following steps:

(a) providing a plurality of articulating base structure mats orblankets, each mat or blanket comprising a plurality of interconnectedblocks wherein the blocks are comprised of concrete having oyster shellas aggregate;

(b) providing a mobile remote setting system having an interior, and ata first location placing the plurality of articulating base structuremats or blankets in the interior of the mobile remote setting system;

(c) moving the mobile remote setting system from the first location to asecond location;

(d) at a second location placing oyster larvae in the interior of themobile remote setting system and allowing the oyster larvae to set onthe plurality of articulating base structure mats or blankets for apredefined period of time for setting; and

(e) wherein after step “d” the plurality of articulating base structuremats or blankets can be removed from the interior of the mobile remotesetting system and placed at a selected erosion prevention location.

In various embodiments during step “d” the plurality of mats are removedfrom the mobile remote setting system and placed at a selected location.

In various embodiments step “c” occurs after step “b” and the secondlocation is remote from the first location.

In various embodiments step “d” occurs adjacent second location of step“c”.

In various embodiments during step “b” the plurality of mats arevertically hung in the remote setting system. In various embodimentseach of the plurality of mats are supported by a header or spreader barfor hanging in the mobile remote setting system. In various embodimentsthe header can include side movement limiters (e.g., an angle or otherbracket) along with manual or quick release latches that will allow eachof the plurality of mats or blankets to be attached and then detachedfrom its respective header or spreader bar for hanging.

In various embodiments during step “b” each of the plurality of matshave a upper face and lower face and the mats are hung in paired setswith each lower face of the paired mats pointing towards each other.

In various embodiments the mobile remote setting system comprises an airsparging system. In various embodiments the air sparging system includesan air compressor fluidly connected to a plurality of sparging pipes,each of the sparging pipes including a plurality of sparging openings.

In various embodiments during step “b” each of the plurality of mats hasa upper face and lower face and the plurality of mats are hung in pairedsets with each lower face of the paired mats pointing towards each otherand each upper face pointing away from each other.

In various embodiments the mobile remote setting system includes asetting interior which setting interior includes a plurality of wallsand a floor. In various embodiments the sparging pipes of the airsparging system can be located next to the floor.

In various embodiments before step “c” at least part of the interior ofthe mobile remote setting system has placed thereon a non-stickmaterial. In various embodiments the non-stick material can be paraffinor wax. In various embodiments the non-stick material can be sprayedonto the interior.

In various embodiments before step “c” at least part of the lowersurfaces of each of the plurality of mats has placed thereon a non-stickmaterial. In various embodiments the non-stick material can be paraffinor wax. In various embodiments the non-stick material can be sprayedonto the lower surfaces of each of the plurality of mats.

In various embodiments before step “c” filling the interior of themobile remote setting facility with water sufficient to cover the top ofthe plurality of mats and sparging the water for a predetermined periodof time and then removing substantially all of the water from theinterior of the mobile remote setting facility.

In various embodiments during step “c” filling the interior of themobile remote setting facility with water sufficient to cover the top ofthe plurality of mats and sparging the water for a predetermined periodof time and then removing substantially all of the water from theinterior of the mobile remote setting facility. Sparging is done in theinterior to dynamically move the oyster larvae around the interior andfacilitate an even set density of spat on the plurality mats orblankets. As the sparging moves the oyster larvae around the interior,they “feel” the concrete of the plurality of mats or blankets with theirfoot and set in place on the concrete. Without sparging moving the watercolumn, once introduced, the larvae would tend to fall to the bottom andsets in a clump at the bottom. In various embodiments the predefinedperiod of time ranges between 48 to 96 hours, or between 72 to 96 hours.During this sparging time period, concentrated algae can be introducedinto the water in the interior to feed the larvae during settingprocess.

In various embodiments between step “c” and removal of the plurality ofmats or blankets from the remote setting facility, the additional stepof adding feed to the interior of the remote setting facility in asufficient amount to facilitate rapid growth of the larvae aftersetting. Because oysters are filter feeders, water with feed flowingthrough the hung blankets or mats (open faced) will allow the oysters tofeed naturally. In various embodiments this feeding period lasts for atleast 7 days after step “c”. Now that the oysters are set, they must befed to ensure that they survive and continue to grow. Each day that theyare allowed to grow in the protected environment of the interior of themobile remote setting facility makes them that much safer from predatorsupon placement. In various embodiments during the feeding period waterwith feed for the oyster larvae is pumped into the interior of themobile remote setting facility, while at the same time water is pumpedout of the interior of the mobile remote setting facility tosubstantially maintain a relatively constant water level in theinterior. In one embodiment a first pump with outlet is located at oneend of the interior while a second pump with inlet is located at aspaced apart end of the interior. The first pump can pump water into theinterior from a predetermined water source such as the location wherethe mobile remote setting facility is located during step “c” (e.g., abody of water such as a pond, lake, bay, ocean, and/or river).Alternatively a public water source can be used. The second pump candischarge into the same water source. The pumping of water into and outof the interior creates a flow process, allowing the water to bringnatural feed in the form of algae to the oysters. Because oysters arefilter feeders, the water with feed flowing through the interior and inbetween the sets of plurality of mats allows the oyster larvae to feednaturally. After a predetermined period of time (e.g., one week) thefeeding flow is stopped and the plurality of mats with set oyster spatare ready to be removed from the interior of the mobile remote settingfacility.

In various embodiments between the time the feeding flow is stopped andthe plurality of mats are removed, substantially all of the water in theinterior of the mobile remote setting facility is emptied and, for apredefined period of time, the plurality of mats remain hanging in theinterior of the mobile remote setting facility. In various embodimentsthe predefined period of time is between about 1 and 14 days, morepreferably between 2 and 7 days. In various embodiments during thispredefined period of time a sprinkler system can be used to maintain apredesignated moisture content on the now set oyster spat on theplurality of mats.

In various embodiments after step “c” the plurality of mats are removedfrom the interior of the mobile remote setting facility. In variousembodiments a crane with rigging can be used to remove the plurality ofmats.

In various embodiments, where water depth at the project site allowsnavigation of the water based mobile setting facility, the mobilesetting facility can be moved via water and into place immediatelyadjacent the selected location for ultimate placement of the pluralityof mats. Alternatively, in various embodiments, where the water depth istoo shallow to allow for navigation of the water based mobile settingfacility, the mobile setting facility can be moved substantially as faras navigable water permits and then the plurality of mats removed fromthe mobile setting facility and loaded onto a vessel which can continueto navigate in the water such as a deck barge. In the instance of a deckbarge the plurality of mats can be lifted by a crane barge onto the deckof the work barge.

In various embodiments, after being removed from the mobile remotesetting facility, the lower surface of at least one of the plurality ofmats is placed on top of at least one of the other of the plurality ofmats.

In various embodiments a protective covering is placed oversubstantially all of the top surface of each of the plurality of mats.In one embodiment the protective covering can be a biodegradablepredator net.

In various embodiments after step “c” the plurality of mats are placedin a selected location to prevent erosion. In various embodiments theselected location is the sidewall of a waterway. In various embodimentsthe selected location is substantially underwater.

In various embodiments a plurality of water based mobile settingfacilities can be used such as for large scale erosion control projects.In these embodiments, after a first water based mobile setting facilityis emptied of blankets being substantially covered with set oyster spat,it can be sent to a predesignated loading facility where the firstmobile setting facility is filled again with new plurality of mats whichwill require being set with oyster spat. During the time period that thefirst water based mobile setting facility is being sent back to apredesignated loading area for refilling, being refilled, and thenreturning to the predesignated location for remote setting, a secondwater based mobile setting facility can be engaged in the process ofremote setting oyster spat on a plurality of mats hung in the interiorof the second water based mobile setting facility using one or moreembodiments disclosed herein.

In various embodiments after placement of the processed plurality ofmats or blankets at the predesignated erosion control location, theoysters on these plurality of mats or blankets will continue to growtogether to form a “living blanket” which over time will combine into asolid reef of oysters.

In one embodiment, where there is death or inadequate growth of oystersafter placement on the plurality of mats or blankets, the areas of deathor inadequate growth can be reseeded with oyster spat for setting andgrowth. In this embodiment pieces of oyster shell (fossilized or freshlyharvested) can be arranged in large baskets. Oyster spat can be seededonto these shells using a remote setting process as described above.After a good set is complete, the shells with now set oyster larvae(i.e., oyster spat) can be blown overboard by barges. It is expectedthat the individual pieces of oyster shell would fall from the surfaceto the previously placed plurality of mats or blankets, and then settleinto recessed areas and/or openings in the plurality of mats orblankets. This “reseeding” introduces a new set of live oyster spat ontothe plurality of mats or blankets and wherein this new live oyster spatcan continue to grow on the already placed plurality of mats.

In various embodiments is provided a method for preventing erosioncomprising:

(a) providing crushed oyster shell aggregate; and

(b) incorporating the oyster shell as aggregate in an articulating basestructure formed from a plurality of interconnected blocks, each of theblocks having top and bottom portions wherein the top portion includes arecessed interior.

In various embodiments during step “a” the oyster shell aggregate iscomprised of fossilized oyster shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages ofthe present invention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, read in conjunction with the following drawings, whereinlike reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a cross section of waterway where themethod and apparatus can be employed to prevent erosion due to waveaction generated by boats and/or storms.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the cross section of waterway of FIG. 1where wave action has eroded portions of the bank.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one of the eroded banks of the waterway ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of partial section of waterway, showingfour contiguous sections (blankets) of one embodiment of the method andapparatus invention laid in place, extending from bank (where it is heldin place via pilings) down the side wall of waterway, to protect againsterosion.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of partial section of waterway, showingfour contiguous sections (blankets) of an embodiment of the inventionlaid in place, extending from bank (where it is held in place viapilings) down the side wall of waterway, to protect against erosion.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of cross section of waterway with anembodiment from FIG. 4, 5, or 6 of the method and apparatus shown inplace on left side to protect against the erosion.

FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective view of taken along the lines 7-7 inFIG. 4 and generally represents any of the embodiments from FIG. 4, 5,or 6 of the method and apparatus showing cultch placed inside pocketsserve as points of attachment for baby mollusk (or oyster larvae or“spat”) to adhere to and grow on which cultch may include shells,limestone, artificial substrate, crushed concrete, calcium-coated rebar,etc.

FIG. 8 is a concrete encased rod which can be used in various of themethod and apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of perspective view of any of theembodiments from FIG. 4, 5, or 6 of the method and apparatus showing apartial blanket wherein the cultch retained in the pillow pockets is inthe form of concrete encased rods.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of perspective of lower portion of blanketof an alternative embodiment of the method and apparatus especiallyuseful for soft sidewalls and water bottoms, wherein a plurality ofcontainers or cups are used instead of pillow pockets especially softsidewalls and water bottoms.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 with a nettingplaced over the plurality of concave containers.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 showing theconnecting means for the plurality of concave containers.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative concave container whichhas a base that can be substantially planer or flat.

FIG. 15 is one embodiment of a remote setting land-based mobile spargingsystem showing blankets from one or more of the embodiments of FIG. 4,5, or 6 of the method and apparatus.

FIG. 16 is one embodiment of a remote setting water-based mobilesparging system showing blankets from one or more of the embodiments ofFIG. 4, 5, or 6 of the method and apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a block which can beused in fabricating a flexible concrete blanket.

FIG. 18 is a section view of the concrete block of FIG. 17 taken alongthe lines 18-18.

FIG. 19 is a section view of the concrete block of FIG. 17 taken alongthe lines 19-19.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the block of FIG. 17 being placed ontop of a lower block, the lower block having oyster spat.

FIG. 21 is a front view of a flexible blanket fabricated out of blockssimilar to FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 is a rear view of a flexible blanket of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is one embodiment of a remote setting water-based mobilesparging system.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of the sparging system.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of a section of one of the sparging pipes.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the interior of the barge schematicallyindicating that the walls and floor are sprayed with a non-stick surfacesuch as paraffin.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the remote setting water based mobilesparging system of FIG. 23 showing sparging occurring in the emptybarge.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the flexible blanket of FIG. 21being lowered into the barge of FIGS. 15 and 23.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view schematically showing shipping/moving thewater based mobile sparging system of FIGS. 15 and 23 containing aplurality of flexible blankets of FIG. 21.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view schematically the water based mobilesparging system of FIGS. 15 and 23 now set in place and ready to engagein the process of remotely setting oyster spat.

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of the remote setting water based mobilesparging system of FIGS. 15 and 23 showing sparging occurring with thebarge filled with a plurality of blankets of FIG. 21.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the water based mobile sparging systemof FIGS. 15 and 23 with a sprinkler system to keep wet remotely setblankets after water had been drained from the barge.

FIG. 33 is a top view of a remote setting land-based mobile spargingsystem.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the land-based mobile sparging systemshowing blankets a flexible blanket of FIG. 21 being lowered into thetruck.

FIG. 35 is a side view of the land based mobile sparging system of FIG.33 showing sparging occurring with the system filled with a plurality ofblankets of FIG. 21

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the showing a first flexible blanket ofFIG. 21 being lowered a second flexible blanket of FIG. 22.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view schematically showing the placement ofmultiple flexible blankets of FIG. 21 only a bank to prevent erosion.

FIGS. 38 and 39 schematically show connecting the multiple blankets toeach other.

FIG. 40 is a side view of a previously placed mat or blanket where aportion of the spat died causing a blighted area.

FIG. 41 is a side view of one method of reseeding a portion of analready laid blanket including a protective curtain perimeter.

FIG. 42 is a top view of the protective curtain of FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is a side schematic view of the curtain of FIG. 41 schematicallyshowing oyster larvae being dropped in the protected area of thecurtain.

FIG. 44 is a side schematic view of the blanket after the reseededlarvae have formed spat on the blighted area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are providedherein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention maybe embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to employ the present invention in any appropriate system, structureor manner.

FIG. 1 shows a typical cross section of a typical waterway 1000 (e.g., ariver or canal), having a bottom (bed) 1220, sidewalls 1210, 1310 andbanks 1200, 1300. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sidewalls of thewaterway which are most susceptible to erosion are those portions (atrisk portions 1230) which are washed up and down and back and forth bywave action of the type that is typically induced by marine vessels 1500traversing the waterway and/or by wind-induced waves of the type whichaccompany storms and other inclement weather. FIG. 1 also shows waves1400, 1450, average elevation of water 1404, wave crests 1410, 1460,wave troughs 1420, 1470, and average mean elevation 1480. As best shownin FIGS. 3 and 4, such sidewall erosion 1212 means there is less supportfor the bank and remaining sidewall located above the eroded portion,eventually causing it to collapse or slough off (e.g., see 1216 in FIG.3). Waterways that are eroded in this fashion becomes wider and wider,the consequences of which are often harmful. For example, in coastalregions the widening of waterways can lead to ever increasing saltwaterintrusion, which leads to the death of fresh water vegetation such astrees (e.g., live oak and cypress).

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a perspective views of four contiguous sections or“blankets” 2000 of which lay in place along one side of a section of awaterway 1000. Waterway 1000 has water bottom 1220, side walls 1210,1310 and banks at 1200, 1300. To simplify the illustration, FIGS. 4 and5 depict blankets 2000 in place on only one side or bank 1200 of thewaterway 1000. In actual use on a waterway 1000, additional blankets arealso preferably placed along the other side or bank 1300 of the waterway1000, so that both sides or banks of the waterway 1000 may be similarlyblanketed to protect against erosion.

As shown in FIG. 4, each blanket 2000 may include an upper portion 2050situated along the sidewall 1210 and bank or side 1200 above the averagemean elevation 1404 of the water surface, and a lower portion 2100situated along the sidewall 1210 of the waterway 1000 below the averagemean elevation 1404 of the water surface. As also shown in FIG. 4, theblankets 2000 are sufficiently flexible so as to generally conform tothe contours of the banks 1200, sidewalls 1210 and water bottom 1220over which the blankets 2000 are laid.

The upper 2050 and lower 2100 portions of the blankets 2000 arepreferably constructed of pliable netting 2054 material comprised ofdurable strands 2052 of line or wire, as for example stainless steel,galvanized metal, pvc-coated wires, monofilament and/or polypropyleneline, preferably arranged in a mesh as best shown in FIG. 7.Biodegradable materials such as hemp rope may also be used as nettingmaterial, particularly in the lower portion 2100 of the mat or blanket2000 under those circumstances where environmental or other applicableregulations may require biodegradable components below the watersurface.

The lower portion 2100 of the mat or blanket 2000 preferably includes afirst plurality of pockets or “pillows” 2200 which provide pockets 2250for holding cultch 2300 therein, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7. Thenetting mesh forming the pillows 2200 is configured and sized so as toretain the cultch 2300 within the pockets 2250 of the pillows 2200, asshown in FIG. 7. The cultch 2300 is preferably seeded with larvae ofmollusks such as oysters, which as baby mollusks (“spat”) adhere to andgrow on the cultch 2300. As the spat grow, they develop hard outershells which provide an armor of protection against erosion of thesidewalls and banks of the waterway 1000 on which the lower portion 2100of the blanket 2000 lies.

The netting mesh 2054 or other material forming the upper portion of theblanket 2000 as depicted in FIGS. 4,5, and 7 is preferably seeded withgrass 1202 and/or other forms of vegetation which, when rooted andgrown, serve to consolidate, stabilize and protect against erosion ofthe sidewalls 1210,1310 and banks 1200,1300 of the waterway 1000 onwhich the upper portion 2050 of the mat or blanket 2000 lays. Saidseeding of the upper portion 2050 of the mat or blanket 2000 may beaccomplished via spraying or other application of seeds which are mixedtogether with a paste or slurry that adheres to the netting mesh 2054 orother material forming the upper portion of the mat or blanket 2000.Alternatively, if desired, the upper portion 2050 of the mat or blanket2000 may be similar to the lower portion 2100 in that said upper portion2050 may include cultch 2300, held in the pockets of pillows 2200, whichmay or may not be seeded with mollusk larvae. Such an alternativeembodiment of the invention may be particularly useful in an environmentwhere the wave wash is anticipated to include a range which extends fromthe bottom of the water body to the top of the surrounding shorelineand/or banks.

The number of pillows in the lower portion 2100 of the blanket 2000 mayvary as desired in accordance with circumstances and conditions. Forexample, if circumstances are such that sidewall erosion is expected tobe limited to that portion of the sidewall located between the averagemean elevation of the waterway 1000 surface and the wave trough, then itmay be desirable (e.g. to minimize costs) to limit the number of pillowsin the lower portion 2100 of the blanket 2000 so as to provide sidewall1210,1310 protection only between said average mean elevation 1404 andwave trough 1420, as shown in FIG. 6. On the other hand, if prudenceand/or other circumstances make it desirable to protect more of thesidewall 1210,1310, then an additional second pocket of pillows 2500containing cultch 2300, limestone, stones, shells, crushed concrete(mass of ground up stones/shells and/or grit) can be optionally includedas indicated in FIG. 5. If circumstances warrant, the pillows 2500 canbe sized, configured and provided in such number as to provideprotection along the entire cross section of the waterway 1000, from onebank 1200 to the other 1300, completely covering both sidewalls1210,1310 and the bottom 1220.

In circumstances where it is desirable to protect against erosion of thesidewalls 1210,1310 and banks 1200,1300 located above the average meanelevation 1404 of the water surface, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, analternative embodiment of the invention is provided as shown in FIG. 5.This alternative embodiment may be preferable in such conditions becauseit may be difficult if not impossible for mollusks to grow and surviveabove the average mean elevation 1404 of the water, where the molluskswould be exposed rather than submerged most of the time (except perhapsduring wave wash and/or high tide).

Accordingly, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, pillows 2500 may beprovided above said average mean elevation 1404 which encase cultch 2300and/or other material that is not seeded with mollusk larvae, as suchlarvae would not be likely to mature into shellfish at such locationabove the average mean elevation. FIG. 5 depicts those pillows 2500encasing unseeded cultch 2300, located above the average mean elevation1404 of the water surface and below the upper portion 2050 of the mat orblanket 2000. Those pillows 2500 preferably encase old shells,limestone, pervious concrete, artificial substrate and/or othermaterials which, although not seeded with mollusk larvae, neverthelessprovide a “breakwater” which protects against erosion due to wave washthat may occur above the average mean elevation of the water.

The blankets shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be held in place along thewaterway 1000's bank via piling 2400 which are driven into the bank1200. Extending between adjacent pilings 2400 is a header 2012, saidheader 2012 providing for attachment of the mat or blanket 2000 thereto.Alternatively, instead of using pilings 2400, the header 2012 may beaffixed to the bank 1200 via the use of anchors. To further affix themats or blankets 2000 to the bank 1200, sprigs may be planted in thebank 1200 by inserting them through the netting mesh 2050 or othermaterial forming the upper portion 2050 of the mat or blanket 2000.

The cultch 2300 may be comprised of various materials which provide asuitable substrate to which spat may attach and grow, such as thediscarded shells of oysters and other mollusks which can be coated witha calcium carbonate solution to enhance attachment by the spat. Thepreferred substrate has a surface which is rough rather than smooth, asa rough-surface substrate typically provides for more and better pointsof attachment thereto by the spat, as compared to a smooth-surfacesubstrate.

Cultch 2300 may also be comprised of crushed concrete, as for examplecrushed concrete that was once part of roadways and bridges that havebeen dismantled. In this way, various embodiments further enhances theenvironment by providing a beneficial use for crushed concrete thatmight otherwise be an eyesore taking up valuable landfill space. Crushedconcrete and/or mollusk shells used as cultch are generally morepreferably than material such as limestone, because the surface ofmollusk shells and crushed concrete is generally rougher than thesurface of limestone. However, shells and/or crushed concrete may not bereadily available in some geographical areas, in which case othermaterial such as limestone may be used.

The netting mesh forming the pocket pillows 2200 may be strengthened andreinforced by the use of reinforcing strands 2052 as depicted in FIG. 7.Said reinforcing strands 2052 may include those which are orientedlongitudinally, as well as reinforcing strands which run atperpendicular or other angles to the longitudinal strands.

It should be understood that FIGS. 4 and 5 depict only four adjacent mator blankets 2000 in place for purposes of illustration. In actual use,similar such mats or blankets 2000 can be placed adjacent to one anotherso as to provide a longitudinal blanket of protection runningcontinuously along the desired length of the waterway 1000 to beprotected.

As an alternative to the use of shells, limestone or crushed concrete,as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 the cultch 2300 may be comprised in whole orin part of concrete encased rods 2350 or rods 2352 which have beencovered with a substance 2356 which facilitates the attachment ofmollusk larvae thereto. For example, metal rods 2352 of the typecustomarily used to reinforce concrete (“rebars”) may be encased inconcrete and/or coated with a solution of calcium carbonate, whichprovides a rough and irregular surface which attracts mollusk larvae andserves as an efficient surface facilitating the setting of mollusklarvae thereon. Such concrete-encased and/or coated rods may be placedas cultch within the pillow pockets 2200 as shown in FIG. 9, instead ofan/or in addition to crushed concrete, shells, limestone and the like.

The lower portion of the mat or blanket 2000 can be designed andconfigured so that it does not float on the surface of the water butinstead sinks into the water down to where it comes in contact with andlies on top of the sidewalls 1210,1310 and bottom 1220 of the shorelineand/or waterway 1000 which is to be protected. When properly configuredand utilized, the lower portion 2100 of the mat or blanket 2000 is heavyenough to sink into the water, but not so heavy as to sink into and/orbelow the soil or other material comprising the sidewall 1210,1310 andbottom 1220 of the shoreline and/or waterway 1000.

FIGS. 10-14 depict an alternative embodiment of the lower portion of ablanket 2700 which is particularly suited for use along shorelines andwaterway 1000s which have especially soft sidewalls 1210,1310 and/orbottoms 1220 that are unable to fully support the weight of the blanketswhich lay thereon. Such conditions may result in sinkage of all or partof the lower portion of the blanket into the soft sidewalls 1210,1310and/or bottom 1220, which in turn may impede the ability of mollusklarvae and spat to adhere to and grow on the cultch contained in saidlower portion of the blanket. Even if the sidewalls 1210,1310 andbottoms 1220 of the shoreline and/or waterway 1000 are firm enough tosupport the blanket when initially laid down, the growth andreproduction of mollusk attached to the blanket will increase itsweight, such that over time it may eventually sink into and/or belowsaid sidewalls and bottoms, and thereby become a less effective meansfor protecting against erosion.

As applied to such soft soil conditions, the alternative embodiment ofFIGS. 10-14 provides for a lower portion of the blanket having cultchcomprised of bowl-shaped containers 2750 which are preferably heldwithin the pockets of the pillows, as shown in FIGS. 11-13. The bottomouter surface of such bowl-shaped containers 2750 is configured toprovide a footprint which spreads over an area which is large enough toresist and prevent sinkage therein. The bowl-shaped containers 2750 arepreferably hollow and have an open top which provides access to theinterior surface 2910 of the container 2750, thereby facilitating theseeding and growth of mollusk larvae and spat within the inner portion2910 of the container 2750.

A multitude of containers 2750 may be connected together and arranged ina pattern such as that shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, thereby creating ablanket of such containers 2750 which can be laid over the portion ofthe bank 1200,1300, sidewalls 1210,1310, bottoms 1220 and/or shorelineto be protected from erosion. The containers 2750 may be of anyconfiguration which provides a footprint that is suitably shaped andsized so as to prevent sinkage into the water bottom 1120 and sidewalls1210,1310 on which it rests. FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment ofa container 2901 having an enhanced footprint or base 2950 with planarbottom 2955. To facilitate the adherence of spat to the containers 2750,the inner top surface 2910 of said containers 2750 may be covered with acalcium-laced membrane or other substrate which oysters adherence andgrowth by spat. Containers 2900, 2901 can be connected together withcables or ropes 2790 and knotted together at 2792 as seen in FIG. 14.

Remote Setting

To facilitate, encourage and expedite the setting and early growth ofspat, the blankets 2000 may be temporarily situated in an incubatingenvironment prior to being permanently deployed along the bank 1200,1300or shoreline to be protected. The purpose of such incubation is toprovide an especially wholesome and friendly environment for the spat,thereby minimizing their exposure to predatory fish and othermarine-related risks that might otherwise harm them when they are mostvulnerable.

For example, the blankets 2000 may be incubated in a hopper barge 4000.Barge 4000 can be moored in place as shown in FIG. 15. Barge 4000 caninclude an interior section 4100 that can hold water. The water beingheld within the interior section 4100 of the barge 4000 is preferablywater which has been pumped in from the waterway 1000, lake or otherwater body where the blankets 2000 are to be deployed. Blanket headers2030, 2031 preferably span the interior section 4100 of the hopper barge4000, allowing the blanket 2000 to hang there such that the lowerportion 2200 of each blanket 2000 can extend down into the water beingheld within the interior section 4100 of the barge 4000. This allows thelarvae which have been seeded on the cultch 2300 in the lower portion2200 of the blanket 2000 to grow in the relatively safe environment ofthe water being held within the interior section 4100 of the hopperbarge 4000. Alternatively, the interior section 4100 of the hopper barge4000 may be totally open to the body of water in which it is situated,and the bottom of said interior section 4100 of the barge 4000 may beoutfitted with a screen having mesh sized sufficiently to keep out fishand other marine life most likely to prey on or otherwise endanger thespat as it grows on the lower portion 2200 of the blanket 2000. Ifdesired, the barge 4000 with the hanging multiple blankets 2000, 2001,etc. may be temporarily sunk for purposes of incubation, then refloatedafterwards.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blankets 2000, 2001 arekept in an incubating environment as described above from between 6 to60 days, during which time the spat not only gain a better foothold onthe cultch but also grow larger and sturdier so as to be less vulnerableto predatory and other risks of the marine environment. For oysters, theincubation period may range from 6 to 60 days, with the most preferableperiod being about 30 days.

After the period of incubation, the hopper barge 4000 may be releasedfrom its moorings and moved to a desirable location near the shoreline1200,1300 or bank where the blankets 2000 are to be deployed. Eachblanket 2000 may then be lifted out of the hopper barge 4000 by a craneor other lifting means and laid down over the bottom 1220, sidewalls1210,1310 and/or banks 1200,1300 and shorelines to be protected, asshown for example in FIG. 6.

Alternatively, the blankets 2000 may be incubated in a container 5010(see FIG. 16) which can be transported via a trailer 5000, train orother means of transportation, as for example “frac tanks” typicallyused in the oil and gas industry, and/or standard-sized containers(“ISO” containers) customarily used in intermodal shipping, as shownwith a removable top in FIG. 16. The water being held within containeror body 5010 is preferably water that has been pumped in from thewaterway 1000, lake or other water body where the blankets are to bedeployed.

The blankets 2000 may be hung from one side to the other side of thebarge 4000 or container 5010, as depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16.Alternatively, if desired, blankets 2000 may be hung from front to backof the barge 4000 or container 5010, thereby accommodating the use ofmore extended blankets 2000.

The method and apparatus is not limited to the use and growth of oysterlarvae in and on the blankets 2000. Other mollusks may also be used,including mussels, depending upon the marine environment and othercircumstances applicable to the particular shoreline or waterway 1000which is to be armored by the blankets of the invention. For mussels,the incubation period referenced above may range from 6 to 60 days, withthe most preferable period being about 30 days.

As indicated above, one embodiments provides for the stabilization andprevention of erosion of shorelines and banks of open bodies of water(such as lakes and bays) as well as channeled bodies of water (such asrivers, canals and bayous.) In addition to preventing erosion, theinvention also provides a further benefit which is that of waterclarification/purification. More specifically, it is well known thatoysters, mussels and other mollusks are efficient at taking in,processing and then expelling the water in which they grow, such thatthe water expelled is cleaner and clearer than the water taken in.

Accordingly, various embodiments have utility for the purpose ofcleaning and clarifying water which has been environmentallycompromised, as e.g. water which has been contaminated with bacteria,toxins and/or other pollutants. When used for this purpose, theinvention may preferably be seeded with mussels in addition and/or as analternative to oysters, because mussels are more efficient than oystersin terms of clarifying, filtering and cleaning up the water in whichthey grow.

In addition or as an alternative to the above-mentioned benefits,various embodiments may also be used to facilitate the growth of oystersand other shellfish for human consumption. For example, blanketscontaining cultch seeded with oyster larvae may be rolled out over orotherwise laid on top of water bottoms which are located in areas andhabitats which are suitable for oyster growth, reproduction andharvesting.

Various embodiments may also be used to facilitate the growth ofunderwater grass and/or other vegetation, as for example instorm-ravaged areas where intense wave wash has uprooted underwaterplant life which is important to the habitat. In such situations,blankets 2000 seeded with underwater grass/plants may be rolled out overor otherwise laid on top of water bottoms which are located in areas andhabitats which are suitable for underwater vegetation.

In general, the use and implementation of various embodiments helps tocreate a living shoreline of stabilized soil which resists erosion,promotes a cleaner marine environment benefitting all of the surroundinganimal and plant life, and/or facilitates the growth of shellfish forhuman consumption.

FIGS. 17 through 39 provide an alternative embodiments of the method andapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a block 200 which canbe used in fabricating a flexible concrete blanket 6000. FIG. 18 is asection view of the concrete block 200 taken along the lines 18-18. FIG.19 is a section view of the concrete block 200 taken along the lines19-19.

Block 200 has height 210 from lower base or bottom 500 to upperperimeter edge 300. On the top of block 200 can be recessed area 400which has a depth 420 from lower vertical second tier surface 410 toupper perimeter edge 300. Lower base 500 can be substantially planer.

Vertical recesses 260 and 262 can be provided on the upper and lowersides of block 200. A plurality of u-shaped vertical channels 270 can beprovided on the right hand side and u-shaped vertical channels 272 canbe provided on the left hand side of block 200.

A plurality of vertical openings 280 can be included running from lowerbase 500 to lower top surface 410. As shown in FIG. 18 plurality ofvertical openings 280 can be tapered from lower top surface 410 to lowerbase 500.

A plurality of tunnels 250 can be provided in each block 200 to allow aplurality of these blocks 200 to be interconnected by a plurality ofconnecting wires 6600 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

Each block can be concrete or steel reinforced concrete. During theprocess of forming the concrete blocks 200 that make up the mat orblanket 6000, the oyster shells can be added to as aggregate to themixture of concrete. In various embodiments the oyster shells can becrushed, ground, or broken. In various embodiments the oyster shells canbe fossilized shells. In various embodiments the amount of oyster shellsas aggregate can be at least 5 percent by weight of the final curedconcrete for blocks 200. In various embodiments the amount of oystershells as aggregate can be at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,50, 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75 percent by weight of the final cured concretefor blocks 200. In various embodiments the amount of oyster shells asaggregate can fall within a range of between any two of the abovereferenced percentages by weight of the final cured concrete blocks 200.

Recessed area 400 on each block 200 can be provided to protect oysterlarvae which has been set on the block 200 from future damage or death.Recessed area 400 can have a depth 420 from lower top surface 410 toupper perimeter edge 300. In various embodiments depth 420 can be atleast 5 percent of the height 210 of block 200. In various embodimentsdepth 420 can be at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 percent ofheight 210 of block 200. In various embodiments the depth 420 can fallwithin a range of between any two of the above referenced percentages ofthe height 210 of block 200.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the block 200 being placed on top of alower block 201, the lower block having now set oyster spat. It can beseen that the bottom surface 500 of upper block 200 will rest on uppersurface 300 of bottom block 201. Any oyster spat located on uppersurface 300 can be damaged by the weight of upper block 200. However,any located in recessed area 400 will not be damaged. Similarly, FIG. 36is a perspective view of the showing a second flexible blanket 6001(comprised of a plurality of blocks 200) being lowered onto a firstflexible blanket 6000 (also comprised of a plurality of blocks). Anyoyster spat located in the recessed areas 400 of the individual blocks200 of first flexible blanket 600 will not be damaged.

FIG. 21 is a front view of a flexible blanket 6000 fabricated out ofblocks 200. FIG. 22 is a rear view of a flexible blanket 6000. Whenblocks 200 are placed side by side in both horizontal and verticaldirections, a blanket or mat 6000 can be formed which includes aplurality of interconnected blocks 6100 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. Theflexible blanket 6000 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 includes staggered rows(e.g., 6200, 6204, and 6208) of plurality of blocks, similar tostaggered bricks.

As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, a plurality of interconnecting wires 6600can be threaded through respective tunnels 250 of particular blocks 200thereby interconnecting the plurality of blocks 6100. Plurality ofsupport loops 6700 can be used to structural connect adjacentinterconnecting wires 6600. At the left 650 and right 654 perimetersides of mat or blanket 6000 in alternating rows half blocks 600 can beprovided to make up the gaps made by the alternating staggered rows.Half blocks 600 can be constructed the same as blocks 200 but cut alonglines 19-19 as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19.

Remote Setting of Flexible Blankets

To facilitate, encourage and expedite the setting and early growth ofspat, the blankets 6000 may be temporarily situated in an incubatingenvironment prior to being permanently deployed along the bank 1200,1300or shoreline to be protected. The purpose of such incubation is toprovide an especially wholesome and friendly environment for the spat,thereby minimizing their exposure to predatory fish and othermarine-related risks that might otherwise harm them when they are mostvulnerable.

For example, the flexible blankets 6000, 6001 may be incubated in aremote setting water based mobile sparging system 4000 of FIGS. 23through 27 (e.g., a hopper barge with sparging system 4700) whichincludes an interior section 4100 that can hold water. The water beingheld within the interior section 4100 of the barge 4000 is preferablywater which has been pumped in from the waterway 1000, lake or otherwater body where the blankets 2000 are to be deployed.

FIG. 23 is one embodiment of a remote setting water-based mobilesparging system 4000. Oyster larvae can't move on their own. Withoutmoving the water column, the larvae would collect in one spot and wewould not have an even disbursement of them across the whole barge.Sparging system 4700 roils/riles the water and causes movement,agitation, and/or flow in/of the water providing a means to move thelarvae about the interior 4100 for even dispersion of the larvae. Invarious embodiments the amount of roiling/riling can be at least 10percent of a full roiling/riling. In various embodiments the amount canbe at least 10, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and/or 100 percentof a full roiling/riling. In various embodiments the amount ofroiling/riling can fall within a range of between any two of the abovereferenced percentages of full roiling/riling.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of the sparging system 4700. FIG. 25 isan enlarged view of a section of one of the sparging pipes 4718. Piping4718 is installed in four rows along the bottom floor 4110 of the barge4000. These pipes 4718 (which includes pipes 4712, 4714, 4716, and 4718)are perforated so that air can escape. The pipes 4718 are connected toan air compressor 4702 on the deck of the barge 4000 that pushes the airthrough the pipes 4718. Arrows 4713, 4715, 4717, and 4719 schematicallyindicate that air is being pushed by compressor 4702 through pipes 4712,4714, 4716, and 4718. This creates an aeration affect across the hopperbarge and turns it into a giant setting tank.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the remote setting water based mobilesparging system 4000 showing sparging occurring with water only in theinterior 4100. Compressor 4702 pumps air into main sparging air inlet4750, which air enters sparging pipes 4712, 4714, 4716, and 4718 andleave said pipes and enter the water in interior 4100 as plurality ofjets of air 4800 and then forming plurality of sparging bubbles 4810.Plurality of jets of air 4800 and plurality of sparging bubbles 4810will cause movement or roiling of water located in the interior 4100 ofwater based mobile sparging system 4000 where such movement can assistin the even distribution and setting of oyster spat placed in the waterin the interior 4100.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the interior of the barge 4000schematically indicating that the walls 4105 and floor 4110 are sprayedwith a non-stick surface such as paraffin. The barge 4000 can be sprayedwith paraffin wax on all sides and along the bottom. This spraying ofwax, creates a slick surface that acts as a deterrent to oyster larvaesetting along the walls of the hopper barge thereby reducing the amountof larvae that may set on the walls. Preferably, the wax is given atleast 24 hours to dry before any water is introduced into the interior4100.

Sparging Time

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible blankets 6000 are kept in anincubating environment as described above from between 6 to 60 days,during which time the spat not only gain a better foothold on thesurface of the blankets but also grow larger and sturdier so as to beless vulnerable to predatory and other risks of the marine environment.For oysters, the incubation period may range from 6 to 60 days, with themost preferable period being about 30 days.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a flexible blanket 6000 beinglowered into the 10 barge 4000. A crane uses rigging 6900 to moveblankets 6000. Each blanket 6000 can be supported by a support beam 6800which has thereon a plurality of supporting straps 6850. At opposed endsof beam 6800 can be lateral support 6810 which lateral supports canrestrict the lateral movement of hanging beam 6800 to resist the beam6800 from slipping off of perimeter edge 4104 of interior 4100.

When the blankets 6000 are hung in the hopper barge 4000, the bottom ofeach blanket 6000 should be approximately 6 inches above the spargingpipes 4712, 4714, 4716, 4718 for the sparging system 4700. In oneembodiment barge 4000 can hold 104, 4-inch blankets 6000, which equatesto 2916 linear feet or 25,000 square feet of concrete surface.

In a preferred embodiments blankets 6000 are hung in opposing paireddirections with their lower faces 6040, 6041 directed towards each otherand preferably touching. Such configuration reduces the amount of spacebetween the lower faces 6040,6040′ directed towards and thereby reducesthe amount of oyster larvae that may set on the lower faces 6040,6040′and increases the amount of oyster larvae that may set on the opposedupper faces 6030,6030′.

In various embodiments the number of hanging blankets or mats 6000 canbe at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30,32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90,95, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150. In various embodiments the number ofblankets or mats 6000 can fall within a range of between any two of theabove referenced minimum numbers.

After the plurality of blankets 6000 are hung in interior 4100 of waterbased mobile sparging system 4000, barge 4000 can be moved to thepredesignated location for setting of the oyster larvae will occur. Oncethe barge 4000 is fully loaded with blankets 6000 it is pushed from thedock and placed in water with sufficient depth. The barge 4000 can bemoved to the predetermined location, by spud poles, a tugboat, or a spudbarge Preferably, this predesignated location will be adjacent thedesignated location for placement of the plurality of blankets 6000.FIG. 29 is a perspective view schematically showing shipping/moving thewater based mobile sparging system 4000 (schematically indicated by thearrow) containing a plurality of flexible blankets 6000. Duringtransport or shipping preferably interior 4100 is not filled with water.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view schematically showing water based mobilesparging system 4000 now set in place and ready to engage in the processof remotely setting oyster larvae. Prior to emplacement, water qualitycan be checked for salinity to ensure that historically the selectedarea for placement of the seeded flexible blankets 6000 is conducive tooyster growth. The area can be reconnoitered and water samples taken toassess salinity and water quality.

Sparging Process

Once located at the selected sparging location, sparging operations canbegin. FIG. 31 is a sectional view of the remote setting water basedmobile sparging system 4000 showing sparging occurring with the bargefilled with a plurality of blankets 6000.

The barge 4000 is then filled with water. Once the water in the interior4100 for the hopper barge 4000 has reached a depth that completelycovers all blankets 6000 the water pump is turned off and the spargesystem 4700 is turned on. This is so the concrete in the blankets 6000can be cured by the salt water.

The sparging water conditions the blankets 6000 and allows them to beready to receive oysters larvae upon setting. The concrete in theblankets 6000 is allowed to be cleaned and conditioned for a minimum of24 hours, but can go as long as 48 hours.

In various embodiments during the cleaning and conditioning process thesparging is such that sparging bubbles rise all the way to the top ofthe water. In various embodiments at least 5 percent of the spargingbubbles rise to the top. In various embodiments least 5, 6, 7, 8, 10,12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44,46, 48, 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, and 90 percent of the sparging bubbles riseto the top. In various embodiments the percentage of sparging bubbleswhich rise to the top of the water can fall within a range of betweenany two of the above referenced percentages.

Having the sparging system 4700 on while cleaning and conditioning,provides surface action that helps clean and condition the concrete inthe blankets 6000.

Once the cleaning conditioning process is complete, the water in theinterior 4100 is fully drained out of the barge 4000 by reversing thepump flow, and draining all water back into the ocean. The barge 4000and blankets 6000 are now ready to begin the process of setting. Oncethe interior 4100 is empty of water, all hanging blankets 6000 can bevisually inspected, looking for anything on them that could harm theoysters larvae or anything that looks out of place. Once it isdetermined that the blankets 6000 appear ready for setting, the interior4100 is refilled with water.

In various embodiments at least part of the interior 4100 of the mobileremote setting system 4000 has placed thereon a non-stick material. Invarious embodiments the non-stick material can be paraffin or wax. Invarious embodiments the non-stick material can be sprayed onto theinterior walls.

In various embodiments at least part of the lower surfaces 6040 of eachof the plurality of mats 6000 has placed thereon a non-stick material.In various embodiments the non-stick material can be paraffin or wax. Invarious embodiments the non-stick material can be sprayed onto the lowersurfaces of each of the plurality of mats.

When all blankets 6000 are completely covered with water in the interior4100, the water flow is stopped. Because of weight capacity of the barge4000, preferably the water cover is less than 3-4 inches above the topof the blankets 6000. When the filling water flow is turned off, thesparging system 2700 is turned on. Once the water in the interior 4100has come to a full roil, the oyster larvae can be introduced into theinterior 4100. Eyed larvae preferably are seeded between 1000-2000 eyedlarvae per square foot of concrete area of the blankets 6000 being hungin the barge 4000 to be covered with spat.

In various embodiments the amount of oyster larvae introduced into theinterior can be at least 750 oyster larvae per square foot of area onwhich the oyster larvae are to set on the blankets 6000. In variousembodiments the lower faces 6040 of the blankets 6000 are not used inthe calculation of the total surface area on which the oyster larvae areto set on the blankets 6000 in calculating the amount of oyster larvaeper square foot. In various embodiments the outer perimeter dimensionsof the upper face 6030 control for calculating the total surface area onwhich the oyster larvae are to be set on the blankets 6000 for oysterlarvae per square foot of surface (here a rough calculation of surfaceare for oyster larvae setting can be easily calculated based on theexternal perimeter dimensions of each blanket 6000—which for ease ofcalculation ignores, even though oyster larvae will set thereupon, theinternal surface area of the openings 280, sides of the walls leading tothe recessed area 400, and sides of each of the concrete blocks 200).This simplified calculation of surface area will be called “simplifiedupper face surface area.” In various embodiments at least 750 oysterlarvae will be added to the interior 4100 for each square foot ofsimplified upper surface area. In various embodiments at least 250, 300,350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200,1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400,2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, and/or 3000 oyster larvae will be added tothe interior 4100 for each square foot of simplified upper surface area.In various embodiments the amount of oyster larvae added to the interior4100 can fall within a range of between any two of the above referencedminimum amount of oyster larvae added to the interior 4100 for eachsquare foot of simplified upper surface area.

In various embodiments the predefined period of time for sparging afterintroducing the oyster larvae can be at least 48 hours. In variousembodiments the predefined time period after introducing the oysterlarvae can be at least 48, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 72, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95,96, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 hours. In various embodiments thepredefined time period for sparging after introducing the oyster larvaecan fall within a range of any of the above two minimum predefined timeperiods for sparging after introducing the oyster larvae.

FIG. 31 shows a plurality of sparging jets 4710 creating a plurality ofsparging bubbles which roil and cause movement in the interior 4100water which in turn causes movement of the oyster larvae introduced intothe interior 4100. Preferably, the eyed larvae are placed in theinterior 4100 water for seeding. When larvae become ready to set (i.e.,hot larvae), which occurs at approximately the two week mark, they havegrown an eye and a foot. The eyed larvae ready to set can be collectedat a hatching facility and provided to the barge 4000 in a cooled downsemi-hibernation state. The cooled temperature of the eyed larvae shouldbe greater than freezing (as freezing would kill the larvae) andpreferably about 38 degrees F. In various embodiments the range can bebetween 32.1 degrees and 45 degrees F. In various embodiments thetemperature can fall within a range of between any two of the followingtemperature points: 32.1, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43,44, and 45 degrees F. The cooled eyed larvae can be slowly warmed toambient temperature to avoid shocking the eyed larvae by a too largetemperature gradient (such as by introducing the larvae to warmer waterand stirring the mixture of water and larvae). For example the warmingperiod can be between 2 to 4 hours. Once the eyed larvae have beenbrought to substantially the same temperature of the water in theinterior 4100, the eyed larvae can be introduced into the interior 4100.When the eyed larvae are dropped into the interior 4100 they would tendto fall to the floor 4110, but the sparging jets 4800 and bubbles 4810causing the interior 4100 water to roil and move tends to evenlydistribute the eyed larvae through the interior 4100 and thereby evenlydistribute setting of these eyed larvae on the plurality of blankets6000 hung in the interior 4100. In one embodiment barge 4000 can hold104, 4-inch blankets 6000, which equates to 2916 linear feet or 25,000square feet of concrete surface. For this amount of concrete, 25 millionto 50 million larvae must be introduced.

In various embodiments during the larvae setting process the sparging issuch that sparging bubbles rise all the way to the top of the water. Invarious embodiments at least 5 percent of the sparging bubbles rise tothe top. In various embodiments least 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18,20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 60,70, 75, 80, and 90 percent of the sparging bubbles rise to the top. Invarious embodiments the percentage of sparging bubbles which rise to thetop of the water can fall within a range of between any two of the abovereferenced percentages.

In various embodiments the average size of each of the plurality ofopenings in the sparging system can be about 1/16 inch in size. Invarious embodiments the average size of the plurality of spargingopenings can be about 1/128, 1/64, 1/32, 1/16, ⅛, and 1/10 inches. Invarious embodiments the average size of the plurality of spargingopenings can fall within a range of between any two of the abovereference average sizes.

In various embodiments the spacing between the plurality over spargingopenings can be sized so that the sparging openings tend to fall betweensets of blankets 6000 being hung. In various embodiments this spacingcan be 2 feet. In various embodiments the average spacing can be thedepth of a blanket 6000 plus 25 percent. In various embodiments theaverage spacing can be the depth of two blankets 6000 plus 25 percent.In various embodiments the spacing between the sparging openings can beabout 2 feet. In various embodiments the upper surface of the barge caninclude a series of indicia indicating where blankets are to be hungcausing the blankets, when hung based on the indicia, to fall betweensparging openings in the plurality of sparging openings.

In various embodiments each of the plurality of openings can emit anaverage of at least 200 bubbles per minute during sparging. In variousembodiments each of the plurality of openings can emit an average of atleast 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500 bubbles perminute. In various embodiments each of the plurality of openings canemit an average number of bubbles per minute that fall within a range ofbetween any two of the above referenced average number of bubbles perminute.

After the predesignated time period for sparging has elapsed, theinterior 4100 water can be drained.

In various embodiments the mobile remote setting facility 4000 withwater sufficient to cover the top of the plurality of mats 6000 andsparging the water for a predetermined period of time and then removingsubstantially all of the water from the interior 4100. Sparging is donein the interior to dynamically move the oyster larvae around theinterior 4100 and facilitate an even set density of spat on theplurality mats or blankets 6000. As the sparging moves the oyster larvaearound the interior 4000, they “feel” the concrete of the plurality ofmats or blankets 6000 with their foot and set in place on the concrete.Without sparging moving the water column, once introduced, the oysterlarvae would tend to fall to the bottom of the interior 4100 and set ina clump at the bottom.

In various embodiments the predefined period of time for sparging afterintroducing the oyster larvae ranges between 48 to 96 hours, or between72 to 96 hours. During this sparging time period, algae (e.g.,concentrated algae) can be introduced into the water in the interior4100 to feed the oyster larvae during setting process. In variousembodiments the predefined period of time for sparging after introducingthe oyster larvae can be at least 48 hours. In various embodiments thepredefined time period after introducing the oyster larvae can be atleast 48, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 72, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 100, 110, 120,130, 140, and 150 hours. In various embodiments the predefined timeperiod for sparging after introducing the oyster larvae can fall withina range of any of the above two minimum predefined time periods forsparging after introducing the oyster larvae.

In various embodiments the amount of concentrated algae added can be atleast 2 liters of 3 million cell per milliliter per day per millionoyster larvae.

In various embodiments, after sparging is stopped but before theplurality of mats or blankets 6000 are removed from the interior 4100from the remote setting facility 4000, the additional step is performedof adding feed to the interior 4100 in a sufficient amount to facilitaterapid growth of the larvae after setting (i.e., feeding the oysterspat). Because oysters are filter feeders, water with feed flowingthrough the plurality of hung blankets or mats 6000 (open faced) willallow the oyster spat to feed naturally. In various embodiments thisfeeding period lasts for at least 7 days after sparging is stopped. Nowthat the oyster larvae are set, they must be fed to ensure that theysurvive and continue to grow. Each day that the oyster spat is allowedto grow in the protected environment of the interior 4100 of the mobileremote setting facility 4000 makes them that much safer from predatorsupon placement. In various embodiments during the feeding period waterwith feed for the oyster spat is pumped into the interior 4100, while atthe same time and at a spaced apart location water is pumped out of theinterior 4100 to substantially maintain a relatively constant waterlevel in the interior 4100 during the feeding process. In one embodimenta first pump 8010 with inlet is located at one end of the interior 4100while a second pump 8020 with outlet is located at a spaced apart end ofthe interior 4100. The first pump 8010 can pump water into the interior4100 from a predetermined water source such as the location where themobile remote setting facility 4000 is located during the remote settingprocess (e.g., a body of water such as a pond, lake, bay, ocean, and/orriver). Alternatively a public water source can be used. The second pump8020 can discharge into the same water source. The pumping of water intoand out of the interior 4100 creates a flow process, allowing the waterto bring natural feed in the form of algae to the oyster spat. Becauseoysters are filter feeders, the water with feed flowing through theinterior 4100 and in between the sets of plurality of mats 6000, 6000′allows the oyster spat to feed naturally with the nutrients included inthe newly introduced water. After a predetermined period of time (e.g.,one week) the feeding flow is stopped, the interior 4100 water drained,and the plurality of mats 6000 with oyster spat are ready to be removedfrom the interior 4100 of the mobile remote setting facility 4000 andplaced onto a predesignated location to prevent or resist soil erosion.During this time period of pumping water in various embodiments noadditional food is added to the interior 4100.

In various embodiments between the time the feeding flow is stopped andthe time the plurality of mats 6000 are removed their hanging state,substantially all of the water in the interior 4100 of the mobile remotesetting facility 4000 is emptied and, for a predefined period of time,the plurality of hanging mats 6000 remain hanging in the interior 4100of the mobile remote setting facility 4000. In various embodiments thepredefined period of time can be substantial causing risking that asubstantial percentage of the oyster spat will die. In variousembodiments during this predefined period of time a sprinkler system8000 can be used to maintain a predesignated moisture content on theplurality of hanging mats 6000 with oyster spat.

After the setting process the plurality of hanging mats 6000 with oysterspat can now be placed at a predesignated installation location.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view schematically showing the placement ofmultiple flexible blankets 6000, 6000′, etc. on a bank 1210 to preventerosion. In various embodiments the plurality of mats 6000 are removedfrom the interior 4100 of the mobile remote setting facility 4000 usinga crane with rigging 6900 and placed on the selected installationlocations.

Placement of Blankets

FIG. 37 is a perspective view schematically showing the placement ofmultiple flexible blankets 6000, 6001, etc. on a bank 1210 to preventerosion. FIGS. 38 and 39 schematically show connecting the multipleblankets 6000, 6001 to each other.

After the period of incubation, the hopper barge 4000 may be releasedfrom its moorings and moved to a desirable location near the shoreline1200,1300 or bank where the blankets 2000 are to be deployed. Eachblanket 6000 may then be lifted out of the hopper barge 4000 by a craneor other lifting means and laid down over the bottom 1220, sidewalls1210,1310 and/or banks 1200,1300 and shorelines to be protected, asshown for example in FIG. 6.

In various embodiments, where water depth allows navigation of the waterbased mobile setting facility 4000, the mobile setting facility 4000 canbe moved via water and into place immediately adjacent the selectedlocation for ultimate placement of the plurality of mats 6000.Alternatively, in various embodiments, where the water depth is tooshallow to allow for navigation of the water based mobile settingfacility 4000, the mobile setting facility can be moved substantially asfar as navigable water permits and then the plurality of mats 6000removed from the mobile setting facility 4000 and loaded onto a vesselwhich can continue to navigate in the water such as a deck barge. In theinstance of a deck barge the plurality of mats can be lifted by a cranebarge onto the deck of the work barge.

In various embodiments the plurality of mats 6000 are placed in aselected location to prevent erosion. In various embodiments theselected location includes a sidewall 1210,1310 of a waterway. Invarious embodiments the selected location is substantially underwater.

In various embodiments the plurality of blankets 6000 can be placedadjacent one another to form a larger retaining wall or living blank. Inthese embodiments the individual blankets 6000 can be fastened to eachother by conventional fastening techniques. FIGS. 38 and 39schematically show connecting the multiple blankets 6000, 6000′ to eachother using wire stubs/cross blanket connectors 6650, locking units6652, connecting means 6654 and support loops 6700.

In various embodiments a protective covering can be placed oversubstantially all of the top surface 6030 of each of the plurality ofmats 6000. In one embodiment the protective covering can be abiodegradable predator net.

In various embodiments after placement of the processed plurality ofmats or blankets at the predesignated erosion control location, theoysters on these plurality of mats or blankets will continue to growtogether to form a “living blanket” which over time will combine into asolid reef of oysters.

In various embodiments, after being removed from the interior 4100 ofthe mobile remote setting facility 4000, the lower surface 6040 of atleast one of the plurality of mats 6000 is placed on top of at least oneof the other of the plurality of mats 6000′. This can occur for example,where the remote setting activities are not immediately adjacent theselected location for placement of the plurality of mats 6000. In thissituation the plurality of mats may be removed from the mobile remotesetting facility 4000, and loaded onto another means of transportationto the ultimate selected location for placement of the plurality of mats6000. During the transfer from the mobile remote setting facility to thealternative means of transportation one or more of the plurality of mats6000 may need to be stacked on top of each other. FIG. 36 is aperspective view of the showing a first flexible blanket 6000′ beinglowered a second flexible blanket 6000. Because the plurality of blocks200 for lower blanket 6000 have recessed areas 400 at least the oysterspat set in those recessed areas will not be harmed or damaged by upperblanket 6001.

In various embodiments a plurality of water based mobile settingfacilities 4000, 4000′ can be used, for example, for large scale erosioncontrol projects. In these embodiments, after a first water based mobilesetting facility 4000 is emptied of its plurality of seeded blankets6000 being substantially covered with oyster spat, it can be sent to apredesignated loading facility where the first mobile setting facility4000 is filled again with new plurality of mats 6000 which will requirebeing set with oyster spat using one or more of the methods described inthis specification. During the time period that the first water basedmobile setting facility 4000 is being sent back to a predesignatedloading area for refilling, being refilled, and then returning to thepredesignated location for remote setting, a second water based mobilesetting facility 4000′ can be engaged in the process of remote settingoyster spat on a plurality of mats 6000 hung in the interior 4100′ ofthe second water based mobile setting facility 6000′ using one or moreembodiments disclosed herein.

In various embodiments at least part of the placement of multipleflexible blankets 6000, 6001, etc. on a bank 1210 to prevent erosion isabove the average mean elevation 1404 of the water surface. In theseembodiments plant life can be artificially seeded (e.g., marsh grass,plants, etc.) on the multiple flexible blankets 6000, 6001, etc. whichplant life can ultimately grow and form a protective layer above themultiple flexible blankets 6000, 6001, etc. and/or assist in stabilizingthe multiple flexible blankets 6000, 6001, etc. from future movementafter placement. After placement of the multiple flexible blankets 6000,6001, 6002, etc., the plant life can be artificially seeded (e.g., marshgrass, plants, etc.) on at least a portion of the multiple flexibleblankets 6000, 6001, etc. such as the exposed surface above the averagemean elevation 1404 of the water surface. In one embodiment artificialseeding of the plant life can be performed by spraying the upper faces6030 of the multiple flexible blankets 6000, 6001, etc. with plant seedsand/or by placing plant stalks/stems into the vertical openings 282 ofthe precast blocks 200 of the multiple flexible blankets 6000, 6001,etc. In one embodiment on average at least one plant stalk/stem can beplaced in the vertical openings 282 of the precast blocks 200 of themultiple flexible blankets 6000, 6000′, etc. for the exposed surface ofthe multiple flexible blankets 6000, 6001, etc. above the average meanelevation 1404 of the water surface.

Land Based Mobile Remote Setting System

FIG. 33 is a top view of a remote setting land-based mobile spargingsystem 5000 which includes a sparging system 4700 substantially asdisclosed for the water based mobile sparging system 4000. FIG. 34 is aperspective view of the land-based mobile sparging system 5000 showing aplurality of blankets 6000′, 6000″ already hanging and an new blanket6000 being lowered into the truck. FIG. 35 is a side view of the landbased mobile sparging system 5000 showing sparging occurring with thesystem 5000 filled with a plurality of blankets 6000.

Reseeding

In one embodiment, where there is death or inadequate growth of oystersafter placement on the plurality of mats or blankets 6000, the areas ofdeath or inadequate growth can be reseeded with oyster spat for settingand growth. In this embodiment pieces of oyster shell (fossilized orfreshly harvested) can be arranged in large baskets. Oyster spat orlarvae can be seeded onto these shells using a remote setting process asdescribed above. After a good set is complete, the shells with now setoyster spat or larvae can be blown overboard by barges. It is expectedthat the individual pieces of oyster shell would fall from the surfaceto the previously placed plurality of mats or blankets, and then settleinto recessed areas and/or openings in the plurality of mats orblankets. This “reseeding” introduces a new set of live oyster spat ontothe plurality of mats or blankets and wherein this new live oyster spator larvae can continue to grow on the already placed plurality of mats.

Vertical Curtain to Protect Dropped Eyed Larvae while Setting ontoBlanket

FIG. 40 is a side view of a previously placed mat or blanket 6000 wherea portion 6400 of the spat died. FIG. 41 is a side view of one method ofreseeding a portion of an already laid blanket 6000 including aprotective curtain perimeter 9000. FIG. 42 is a top view of theprotective curtain 9000. FIG. 43 is a side schematic view of the curtain9000 schematically showing oyster larvae 9052 being dropped in theprotected area 9100 of the curtain 9000. FIG. 44 is a side schematicview of the blanket after the reseeded larvae 9052 have formed spat onthe blighted area 6400.

A protective screening curtain 9000 can be used to surround an area 6400of a previously seeded mat or blanket 6000 which may require reseedingafter death of prior oyster spat. The protective curtain 9000 can bevertically oriented and extends from the flexible mat 6000 (at itsbottom portion 9010) to the top of the water surface (at top 9020). Thisembodiment can typically be used in water of less than 8 feet depth. Theprotective screening curtain 9000 preferably is comprised of a materialthat allows water flow but restricts larvae 9052 movement. When larvae9052 become ready to set (i.e., hot larvae), which occurs atapproximately the two week mark, they have grown an eye and a foot. Theeyed larvae ready to set are collected at the hatching facility andcooled to slow them down and put them into a semi-hibernation state. Thecooled temperature should be greater than freezing (as freezing wouldkill the larvae) and preferably about 38 degrees F. The cooled larvaeare transported to the area 6400 of the previously laid mat or blanket6000 and slowly warmed to ambient temperature to avoid shocking the eyedlarvae by a too large temperature gradient (such as by introducing thelarvae to warmer water and stirring the mixture of water and larvae).For example the warming period can be between 2 to 4 hours. Once thelarvae 9052 have been brought to ambient temperature, the larvae can beintroduced to the area 9100 protected by the screening curtain 9000 andthe previously seeded mat or blanket. When the larvae are dropped intothe water they tend to fall down in the curtain/screened off area(schematically indicated by arrow 9053) and onto the flexible mat 6000.The curtain 9000 restricts movement of the larvae 9052 to the areabetween the curtain 9000 and the previously seeded mat or blanket 6000increasing the chances of setting on this area 6400. The curtain 9000remains in place (containing the larvae 9052 in this area 9100) for apredefined period of time for setting (e.g., 96 hours) to allow thelarvae 9052 to set on the previously seeded mat or blanket 6000. Afterthe curtain 9000 is removed, a predator net can be applied to the mat orblank to protect the newly set larvae against predators.

Dumping Seeding Substrate onto Blanket from Water Surface

Alternatively, additional substrate can be remotely seeded andtransported to the area 6400 of a previously seeded mat or blanket 6000which may require reseeding after death of prior oyster spat. Theadditional substrate can be dried shells, fossilized shells, or any typeof rock. The substrate can be ground, broken, or whole. Although notshown, oyster larvae can be remotely set on this substrate in a hatcheryenvironment such as by using baskets, sacks, or loose in a tank. Theadditional substrate is placed in the baskets, sacks, or tank with waterand larvae is added to the water and at least 96 hours is allowed forthe larvae to set. The now seeded additional substrate can betransported (e.g., by boat or barge) to the location of the previouslyseeded mat or blanket 6000 then placed above the impacted area 6400 ofthe previously seeded mat or blanket 6000 without using a protectivecurtain 9000 (e.g., put overboard of the boat or barge). The now seededadditional substrate will fall through the water and land on top of theimpacted area 6400 of the previously seeded mat or blanket 6000. The nowseeded additional substrate can be put overboard by blowing it with airor manually dumping it overboard. The now seeded additional substratefalls through the water and settles into the open spaces of theplurality of recessed blocks that make up the blankets 6000 (e.g.,recessed areas and holes in blanket 6000). The now placed seededadditional substrate will allow the mat or blanket 6000 area 6400 torecolonize.

The following is a list of reference numerals:

LIST FOR REFERENCE NUMERALS (Reference No.) (Description) 10 method andapparatus 100 living blanket 200 precast block 201 lower precast block210 height 240 cables 250 tunnels 260 vertical openings 262 verticalopenings 270 U-shaped vertical channels 272 U-shaped vertical channels280 vertical openings 300 upper perimeter edge 400 recessed area 410lower top surface 410 lower vertical second tier surface 420 depth 500bottom/lower base 600 half block 650 left perimeter 654 right perimeter1000 waterway 1200 first bank of waterway/side/bank 1202 grass 1210sidewall 1212 eroded portion/sidewall erosion 1216 portion likely toslough off due to erosion 1220 bottom/water bottom 1230 at risk portion1300 second bank of waterway/side/bank 1310 sidewall 1400 wave 1404average elevation of water 1410 wave crest 1420 wave trough 1430 averagemean elevation 1450 wave 1460 wave crest 1470 wave trough 1480 averagemean elevation 1500 marine vessel 2000 blanket/pocket or pillow blanket2001 blanket/pocket or pillow blanket 2010 top 2012 header 2020 bottom2030 support beam/header 2031 support beam/header 2032 lateral supportbracket 2050 upper portion 2051 upper portion 2052 reinforced strands ofnetting/strands 2054 netting 2100 lower portion 2200 first plurality ofpockets or pillows 2210 upper portion of pillows 2220 lower portion ofpillows 2230 base 2250 plurality of pockets or pillows encasing cultchwhich is seeded with oyster larvae/pocket 2300 cultch 2350 concreteencased rod 2352 support rod 2356 concrete encasement 2400 plurality ofsupports such as stakes or poles 2500 second plurality of pockets orpillows 2550 second plurality of pockets or pillows encasing cultchwhich is seeded with oyster larvae 2570 cultch 2700 blanket including aplurality of hollow bowl shaped containers interconnected 2710covering/netting 2750 plurality of interconnected bowls/bowls 2790interconnecting means/cable/rope 2792 knot 2800 interconnectingreinforcement 2900 bowl/container 2901 bow/container 2910interior/interior surface 2950 base 2955 planar bottom 4000 barge/remotesetting water-based mobile sparging system 4010 body 4020 upper surface4030 lower surface 4100 interior 4104 perimeter edge 4105 sidewalls 4110floor 4200 plurality of pilings 4500 water surface 4600 water surface4700 sparging system 4702 compressor 4710 plurality of sparging lines4712 first line 4713 direction of flow/arrow 4714 second line 4715direction of flow/arrow 4716 third line 4717 direction of flow/arrow4718 fourth line 4719 direction of flow/arrow 4720 plurality of spargingopenings 4750 main sparging air inlet 4780 support bracket 4800plurality of jets of air 4810 plurality of sparging bubbles 5000 remotesetting land-based mobile sparging system/trailer/train 5010container/body 5020 upper surface 5025 plurality of recessed areas 5030lower surface 5040 base 5045 plurality of wheels 5100 interior 5110floor 5500 water surface 5610 portion of blanket above water surface5620 portion of blanket below water surface 6000 flexible blanket 6001flexible blanket 6002 flexible blanket 6003 flexible blanket 6010 top6020 bottom 6030 upper face 6031 upper face 6040 lower face 6041 lowerface 6050 left perimeter 6054 right perimeter 6100 plurality ofinterconnected blocks 6101 plurality of interconnected blocks 6200 row6204 row 6208 row 6300 column 6304 column 6308 column 6400 dead orblighted area for spat 6600 plurality of connecting wires 6650 wirestubs/cross blanket connector 6652 locking unit/connecting means 6654connecting means 6700 plurality of support loops 6800 support beam 6810lateral support bracket/lateral support 6850 plurality of support straps6851 plurality of support straps 6900 rigging 8000 sprinkler system 8010first water source 8020 second water source 8030 plurality of nozzles8050 plurality of water streams 9000 protective curtain 9010 lower end9020 upper end 9030 floatation device for top of curtain 9100 protectivearea 9050 dispenser 9052 larvae 9053 arrow 9056 spat 9058 upper surfacereseeded with spat

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature andpressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. Allmaterials used or intended to be used in a human being arebiocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together may also find a useful application in other types ofmethods differing from the type described above. Without furtheranalysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the presentinvention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptit for various applications without omitting features that, from thestandpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics ofthe generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in theappended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way ofexample only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited onlyby the following claims.

While certain novel features of this invention shown and described beloware pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended tobe limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill inthe relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications,substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in anyway from the spirit of the present invention. No feature of theinvention is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated asbeing “critical” or “essential.”

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for preventing erosion comprising:(a) providing a plurality of articulating base structure mats orblankets, each mat or blanket comprising a plurality of interconnectedblocks wherein the blocks are comprised of concrete having oyster shellas aggregate; (b) providing a mobile remote setting system having aninterior, and at a first location placing the plurality of articulatingbase structure mats or blankets in the interior of the mobile remotesetting system, wherein the plurality of articulating base structuremats or blankets are suspended within the mobile remote setting system;(c) moving the mobile remote setting system from the first location to asecond location; (d) at the second location placing oyster larvae in theinterior of the mobile remote setting system and allowing the oysterlarvae to set on the plurality of articulating base structure mats orblankets for a predefined period of time for setting; and (e) whereinafter step “d” the plurality of articulating base structure mats orblankets are removed from the interior of the mobile remote settingsystem and placed at a selected erosion prevention location.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the mobile remote setting system is a mobilewater based facility.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “a” theoyster shell aggregate is comprised of fossilized oyster shell.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein step “c” occurs after step “b” and the secondlocation is spaced apart from the first location by at least apredefined distance.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein during step “e”the plurality of articulating base structure or mats are placed at theselected location which selected location is adjacent the secondlocation of step “c”.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising thestep of supporting each of the plurality of articulating base structuremats or blankets with a header or spreader bar.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein in step “b” each of the plurality of articulating basestructure mats or blankets have a upper face and lower face and are hungin paired sets with each lower face of the paired articulating basestructure mats or blankets pointing towards each other.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein in step “d” the mobile remote setting system comprisesan air sparging system having an air compressor fluidly connected to aplurality of sparging pipes, each of the plurality of sparging pipesincluding a plurality of sparging openings.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein before step “d”, filling the interior of the mobile remotesetting facility with water sufficient to cover the top of the pluralityof articulating base structure mats or blankets, sparging the water andmats for a predetermined period of time, and then removing substantiallyall of the water from the interior of the mobile remote settingfacility.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein during step “d” filling theinterior of the mobile remote setting facility with water sufficient tocover the top of the plurality of articulating base structure mats orblankets, sparging the water while the oyster larvae set on theplurality of articulating base structure mats or blankets.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein during step “d” the predefined period of timefor setting is at least 48 hours.
 12. The method of claim 1, whereinduring step “d” concentrated algae is introduced into the water to feedthe larvae during setting.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein betweensteps “d” and “e”, for at least a predefined post setting feedingperiod, adding feed to the interior of the remote setting facility in asufficient amount to facilitate rapid growth of the larvae aftersetting.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein during the predefined postsetting feeding period water having feed is added to the interior of themobile remote setting facility, while at the same time water from theinterior is pumped out substantially maintaining a constant water levelin the interior.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “b” each ofthe plurality of articulating base structure mats or blankets comprisesa plurality of interconnected blocks that articulate relative to eachother, and each of the plurality of interconnected blocks include topand bottom faces with the top face having a recess and the rear facebeing substantially flat or planar.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereineach of the plurality of interconnected blocks have a height and therecesses of each of the interconnected blocks has a depth which fallswithin the range of between 10 and 50 percent of the height.
 17. Amethod for preventing erosion comprising: (a) providing a plurality ofarticulating base structure mats or blankets, each mat or blanketcomprising a plurality of interconnected blocks wherein the blocks arecomprised of concrete having oyster shell as aggregate; (b) providing amobile remote setting system having an interior, and at a first locationplacing the plurality of articulating base structure mats or blankets inthe interior of the mobile remote setting system; (c) moving the mobileremote setting system from the first location to a second location; (d)at the second location placing oyster larvae in the interior of themobile remote setting system and allowing the oyster larvae to set onthe plurality of articulating base structure mats or blankets for apredefined period of time for setting; (e) wherein after step “d” theplurality of articulating base structure mats or blankets are removedfrom the interior of the mobile remote setting system and placed at aselected erosion prevention location, and (f) removing the plurality ofarticulating base structure mats or blankets from the interior of themobile remote setting system and placing them at the selected erosionprevention location, wherein each of the plurality of articulating basestructure mats or blankets have an upper face and a lower face and afterbeing removed from the interior of the mobile remote setting facility,the lower face of at least one of the plurality of articulating basestructure mats or blankets is placed on top of the upper face of atleast another one of the other of the plurality of articulating basestructure mats or blankets.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein duringstep “f”, each of the plurality of articulating base structure mats orblankets have an upper face and a lower face, and a protective coveringis placed over substantially all of the upper faces of each of theplurality of articulating base structure mats or blankets.
 19. A methodfor preventing erosion comprising: (a) providing a plurality ofarticulating base structure mats or blankets, each mat or blanketcomprising a plurality of interconnected blocks wherein the blocks arecomprised of concrete having oyster shell as aggregate; (b) providing amobile remote setting system having an interior, and at a first locationplacing the plurality of articulating base structure mats or blankets inthe interior of the mobile remote setting system; (c) moving the mobileremote setting system from the first location to a second location; (d)at the second location placing oyster larvae in the interior of themobile remote setting system and allowing the oyster larvae to set onthe plurality of articulating base structure mats or blankets for apredefined period of time for setting; and (e) wherein after step “d”the plurality of articulating base structure mats or blankets areremoved from the interior of the mobile remote setting system and placedat a selected erosion prevention location, wherein a second mobileremote setting system having an interior is provided and during step “c”and a second plurality of articulating base structure mats or blanketsis being hung in the interior of the second mobile remote settingsystem.